Alembic Elan 6 - Serial No. 90H 5747

[geepee]

Hi folks,


Some may have seen via Facebook and such, I've become a proud owner of a 6 string Elan. It's very interesting with some interesting modifications. The XLR socket is...odd and the knobs aren't Alembic standard either. Other than that, pretty great. Here's a pic. There's very little about the bass, other than a thread from 2006 so any extra info, I'd be very interested in reading.


Cheers!

[David Houck]

Nice!  Congrats!!

[rv_bass]

Beautiful!  Is that rosewood?

[mica]

Most likely Macassar Ebony. Can you share a picture of what's in the electronics cavity?

[geepee]

Thanks!


Heya Mica,


I certainly can, the previous owner looks like he knew what he was doing but I've noticed there is a grounding issue which needs solving. This is due to his interesting XLR mod most likely.

[goran]

Nice bass, congratulations! Beautiful top!

[rv_bass]

How many pins are in the XLR jack (3,4,5)? Does the bass have a 1/4” jack.  I don’t see it in the electronics photo. Very nice bass!

[pauldo]

George that is truly beautiful.  Your Instagram content affirms that you deserve a fine collection, your playing is always a treat!

[geepee]

How many pins are in the XLR jack (3,4,5)? Does the bass have a 1/4” jack.  I don’t see it in the electronics photo. Very nice bass!

Thanks so much, umm, so it's got 4 pins which is so weird, which has replaced the 1/4" Jack for some reason...honestly I'm confused as to why but it'll be changed back shortly. Once the hum is fixed, it'll be gig ready!
Cheers!

[edwardofhuncote]

Congratulations & Compliments on another nice bass added to your collection, George. 


Wild guess, as I am almost a complete novice, but suppose the absence of the fifth pin may be the source of the hum?

[garyhead]

Look forward to seeing the mod back to the 1/4" jack.

Looking at your collection.....do you get a lot of sympathetic strings ringing out while you play?  I put 30+ basses in a small 12' x 12' bedroom and found I couldn't practice in there with all the droning!  So, it's a stunning "store room" but I have to practice in another room. 

[geepee]

Congratulations & Compliments on another nice bass added to your collection, George. 


Wild guess, as I am almost a complete novice, but suppose the absence of the fifth pin may be the source of the hum?

Hmm it could be! I'll take another look inside and see if I can find out! Thanks!

[geepee]

Look forward to seeing the mod back to the 1/4" jack.

Looking at your collection.....do you get a lot of sympathetic strings ringing out while you play?  I put 30+ basses in a small 12' x 12' bedroom and found I couldn't practice in there with all the droning!  So, it's a stunning "store room" but I have to practice in another room. 

That's a really great question and I've never even thought about it. I haven't heard anything abnormal in any recordings and I don't think I play loudly enough at home to cause any unwanted ringing. I will keep an ear out though. I'd love 30 basses but alas, I have no more room, anywhere! Maybe one day! Cheers!

[geepee]

Question for Mica and anybody that may know...

In this picture of the electronics there's a resistor...is this standard for this configuration of electronics or not?
I've worked out where the hum is coming from...there is no grounding between the silver paint and the XLR socket, which can be easily sorted!

The resistor is somewhat confusing to me though!

[JimmyJ]

Ah, the mystery of the 4-pin jack!  I'll take a guess that the resistor is there to drop the voltage from whatever custom external power supply the previous owner rigged up, to run the LEDs?  Pretty tricky!

Jimmy J